Rachelena
What's in Your Box?
Mar 15, 2011
While I was away on this super amazing and long road trip, I found myself in MANY a restaurant. Fatz, O'Charleys, Main Street Deli, JPeters, Black Horse Pub, PF Changs, Eclipse Di Luna etc etc etc... At every place I found myself leaving with a box of left overs...Did I ever mention I don't like leftovers?? They just never reheat and taste as good as they started as... But that's neither her nor there... The point of tonights blog is this... When you dine out, most meals come with a soup or salad and a side dish on top of the meal you want. I always chose a protein for dinner whether it be steak or fish or the occasional chicken finger... I can only eat about 4oz of food in one sitting so what the heck am I gonna do with a side salad and a side of sweet potato? In the box they go along with prob 3/4 of my protein that I just couldn't eat.
Now on the other hand... I have seen other post-ops fill up on salad, bread, soup, or even the side dish and neglect the protein. I'm not saying Salad is a bad meal, by any stretch, but how do we draw the line and get in 60+ grams of protein, plus fruits and veggies?
For me, I eat every 2 hours give or take... I try to make 4 out my 6 meals just protein. the other two I leave open to salad, fruit, good carbs and the occasional guilty pleasure. For me, the salad always goes in a box... What's in your box?
Sleeve Pixie wants to know!
3 Years...
Mar 10, 2011
3 Years...
Today is a somewhat of a bitter sweet day for me. Today would have been my 3 year surgiversary with my lap-band. 3 YEARS.... So much time I wasted... Waiting for my band to work, waiting for my body to work... just waiting.So instead of sitting here feeling sorry for myself... today will have to be more sweet than bitter! Let me tell you what has changed in 3 years...
- I am down 106lbs
- I can buy clothes in a store again
- I can smile when I see a picture of myself!
- I can walk a 5k
- I can run up and down the stairs without wanting to keel over
- I can wash dishes
- I can cook dinner
- I can walk across a parking lot and no longer need to drive around for the closest spot
- I can sit on a chair without worrying if it will break
- I can fit in a booth at a restaurant
- I can wrap a bath towel around my body
- I lost 80% of my stomach
- I have not had cellulitis in 3 years!!!
- I have not had a gastritis attack in 3 years
- I run a support group
- I found my purpose in life
- I've made hundreds of friends
- I traveled the east coast!
- I got my social work license
- I love waking up every morning!!!
Thought For Today... Happiness
Feb 21, 2011
We think being thin will make us all better... Skinnyness is like money... While they may both bring us superficial things their opposites cannot, they will never give us true happiness. Happiness is found within what we have. So if you are just starting your journey or if you are broke, find something about YOU, on the inside that makes you happy!!
Obesity Help Conference NY 2011!!!
Feb 20, 2011
I am donating my OH earnings to a greater good! Anyone who books their NY Obesity Help Conference using the code LebowitzNY11 will receive:
My goal is to raise $200 for the OAC from ticket sales for the OH NY Conference!
Help me reach my goal today!
Save $30 off of the Long Island, NY Obesity Help Conference with coupon code LEBOWITZNY11
Every year Obesity Help holds roughly 3-5 conferences around the country for people who have had or are looking into weight loss surgery. This year one of those conferences will be in NY, on Long Island on October 21-22.
The conference features a mixture of professionals such as Connie Stapleton (psychologist - one of my favs), Chef Dave Fouts (bariatric chef), Dr Garth Davis (from Big medicine), Dr. Alvarez (the mexico surgeon - another one of my favs) and Dr. Katzen (one of the most famous bariatric post op plastic surgeons) and a few post-ops who share their stories, wisdom etc...
One of the best parts of these conferences is ability to meet other post-ops and be in environment that is truly unique. Everyone is at a different stage in their weight loss and everyone knows what its like to be fat. Each conference is closed with a fashion show and night of fun dancing. I have been to 3 in the past 2 years and I looking forward to attending all 3 conferences this year!
Because I have gone through OH support group leader training, OH gives me a discount code to pass out to my friends and support group members. This code is good for $30 off of the $75 price of the conference. Each person who registers under my code also receives a free OH t-shirt and tote bag :-)
To purchase your ticket for the New York Obesity Help Conference at the super low price of $45 plus a Free OH t-shirt and OH Tote Bag Follow this linkand make sure to use my discount code LebowitzNY11
Sexy in the City!
October 21-22
The New York Conference will be held in the
Hauppauge Sheraton <- Click to book a room!
Sheraton Long Island - $119+tax per night
110 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 231-1100
If you would like more info or have any questions leave a comment below!
I hope you consider coming!
Can't wait to see you there!
1 comment
- $30 off of their ticket price
- A free OH T-Shirt
- A Free OH Tote Bag
- The knowledge that the money I make will be given to the (OAC) Obesity Action Coalition!!
My goal is to raise $200 for the OAC from ticket sales for the OH NY Conference!
Help me reach my goal today!
 |
| Me with Connie Stapleton |
Every year Obesity Help holds roughly 3-5 conferences around the country for people who have had or are looking into weight loss surgery. This year one of those conferences will be in NY, on Long Island on October 21-22.
The conference features a mixture of professionals such as Connie Stapleton (psychologist - one of my favs), Chef Dave Fouts (bariatric chef), Dr Garth Davis (from Big medicine), Dr. Alvarez (the mexico surgeon - another one of my favs) and Dr. Katzen (one of the most famous bariatric post op plastic surgeons) and a few post-ops who share their stories, wisdom etc...
 |
| Just me and Melting Mama showing some love! |
 |
| Me and Dr. Alvarez |
Because I have gone through OH support group leader training, OH gives me a discount code to pass out to my friends and support group members. This code is good for $30 off of the $75 price of the conference. Each person who registers under my code also receives a free OH t-shirt and tote bag :-)
To purchase your ticket for the New York Obesity Help Conference at the super low price of $45 plus a Free OH t-shirt and OH Tote Bag Follow this linkand make sure to use my discount code LebowitzNY11
Sexy in the City!
October 21-22
The New York Conference will be held in the
Hauppauge Sheraton <- Click to book a room!
Sheraton Long Island - $119+tax per night
110 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 231-1100
If you would like more info or have any questions leave a comment below!
I hope you consider coming!
Can't wait to see you there!
Thought For Today... One Pound
Feb 20, 2011
WOW!!! I have lost 75lbs in the last 5 months with my VSG (and VSG pre-op diet)... That is awesome! I have lost 101lbs since I started my WLS journey and I only have another 110lbs to lose for my personal goal. When I started this journey I had over 200lbs to lose to reach a healthy weight. I never ever in a million years thought it was possible. I'm not looking at the next 100lbs I'm just looking at the next POUND... just one single teeny tiny little POUND eventually each little, tiny, seemingly insignificant will equal my goal weight.Have you ever started walking, saw your destination up the road a piece and thought to yourself.. "That is just sooo far! I don't know if I can/should/want to walk there." I'm sure you have at one point... Have you ever tried the trick of looking at the floor when you walk and watching your steps? No?? Try it!!
Next time you have to walk some where, walk there while looking at the steps you take. Walk for 30 seconds this way, I promise you when you look up. You will be surprised at how far you have come :-)
Just a pound at a time!
Are you thinking about attending the NY OH Conference?
Feb 16, 2011
|
| Me with Connie Stapleton |
Every year Obesity Help holds roughly 3-5 conferences around the country for people who have had or are looking into weight loss surgery. This year one of those conferences will be in NY, on Long Island on October 21-22.
The conference features a mixture of professionals such as Connie Stapleton (psychologist - one of my favs), Chef Dave Fouts (bariatric chef), Dr Garth Davis (from Big medicine), Dr. Alvarez (the mexico surgeon - another one of my favs) and Dr. Katzen (one of the most famous bariatric post op plastic surgeons) and a few post-ops who share their stories, wisdom etc...
|
| Just me and Melting Mama showing some love! |
|
| Me and Dr. Alvarez |
Because I have gone through OH support group leader training, OH gives me a discount code to pass out to my friends and support group members. This code is good for $30 off of the $75 price of the conference. Each person who registers under my code also receives a free OH t-shirt and tote bag :-)
To purchase your ticket for the New York Obesity Help Conference at the super low price of $45 plus a Free OH t-shirt and OH Tote Bag Follow this linkand make sure to use my discount code LebowitzNY11
Sexy in the City!
October 21-22
The New York Conference will be held in the
Hauppauge Sheraton <- Click to book a room!
Sheraton Long Island - $119+tax per night
110 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 231-1100
If you would like more info or have any questions leave a comment below!
I hope you consider coming!
Can't wait to see you there!
xoxo
Sleeve Pixie
Me? Bad-Ass?
Jan 29, 2011
Last night, I had a heart to heart with a good friend of mine about my recent struggles and frustrations. He told me, "You are a magical person and I love your 're-vision' article and your blog. You have the capacity to be a POWER-house".
He was totally right. I had forgotten for a moment, even if only a brief one, what I was doing. I fell to the back of the line because I was too tired of pushing to the front. I was ready to give up and again admit defeat. That is the self saboteur in me.. She figures out how to pick the lock on her cage every now and again no matter what I do to keep her at bay. As I sat there talking to my friend, I found myself complaining about my life, my situation my DRAMA.
Then he said something to me that I don't even think he knows meant much of anything to me. He said, remember "it's only temporary!"
Huh? What do you mean it's only temporary?? It's RIGHT NOW!! I hate this situation RIGHT NOW!! I don' care that it will not be the case in 10 minutes or 10 days or even 10 months, but RIGHT NOW I am struggling... Then it hit me... like a ton of bricks... This is the addict in me talking!! This impulsive I want it and I want it NOW behavior and way of thinking is the addict in me coming out to rear its ugly head.. I have been working so hard on the abstinence of the drug of my choosing (food) that I have over looked the addict within me and she has been waiting silently for the right moment, the right opportunity to strike!
Perhaps one may even call it a transfer of addictions... I can no longer use food to cover up my feelings so now I cling to anger, depression, drama, the thrill of the fight, the choosing of the sides, the win, the kill, the BULL! I have to stop! I have to refocus and retrain the little me who is still an addict and perhaps always will be. I have to learn to change my ways of coping with... whatever the RIGHT NOW is.
Now I will be the first to admit, this is probably the hardest thing you will ever have to do. Change your essence. Everything about you and your life has fostered and nourished the addict in you. From your enablers to your self sabotaging behaviors. I admire you for even taking the first step on this long hard journey. But I promise the end more than justifies the means!
It was suggested last night that I make a list of all the "bad-ass" things about me... I started to think... I am going to tell the world about my bad-assness lol Blogspot here I come and watch out! Then I thought... hmmm... What is bad-ass about me?
Do you know whats bad-ass about you?? Well let me start you off... You are currently reading my blog. I think that is pretty darn bad-ass if I do say so myself :-) Now you finish! Make a list of what is bad ass about you!! Put in a journal, on a blog, leave it in my comments below if you want to. But you should know what is bad-ass about yourself. So here is my list.... My friend started me off by telling me being an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker). is pretty bad ass bad-ass...
In case you are having some trouble with your list... Let me define BAD-ASS for you!
BAD-ASS
1. adjective. having extremely favorable qualities
2. adjective. pertaining to a person or thing that is rugged, strong, and/or ready to show these qualities
3. noun. person who is perceived to have the qualities in definition 2
- I am an LMSW
- I am an OH SGL
- I am a "Revision"ary
- I can go over an hour on the elliptical
- I am 296.4lbs as of this morning!
- I write a pretty bad-ass blog!
- I am beautiful inside and out.
- I am sexy and desirable.
- I have integrity.
- I am open, honest, empathetic and welcoming to all.
- I am a giver.
- I can have a drink with the boys and put on make-up with the girls
- I have a great sense of self confidence and self worth
- I have a group of bad-ass friends that love me unconditionally!
- I met the man of my dreams
- I married the man of my dreams
- I am on the path to live up to my greatest potential
- I take full advantage of my opportunities
- I take risks
- I have unbelievable insight into myself.
Remember we are all bad-ass in one way or another!
Lost and Insecure...
Jan 27, 2011
While I usually blog about the struggles and successes of WLS as a whole today I am down in the dumps.. In fact, if I am really being honest with you all I have been this way for about a week now... This is why I have not been blogging as regularly as I should or would like to... It's time to lay it alllll out on the table... Beth, the owner of Weighty Secrets says... Secrets are things we give to others to keep for us... So I give to you my secrets today...
0 comments
- Today, my love for this very community that I work so hard to better has dwindled. The constant drama and 1-uping bull shit behavior has got to stop. I seriously can't take it anymore. Why are you so insecure that you have to prance around and believe you are better than everyone else. When did it stop being for the right reasons? What happens in post-op brain that makes them loose their damn mind??
- Today I confess that I am outraged, disgusted and disappointed in the so-called pillars/post-op professionals of our community...I will not name names because I know nothing to be FACT but for the rumors that have been flying... I KNOW there HAVE TO BE some who are not acting right... To all those Bariatric "para-professionals" out there... support group leaders, life coaches and the like... know your place! What you have to give is beautiful. You have the heart and soul of a helper but know where to draw the line and please leave your ego at the door. I don't care how much you paid for your life coach certificate or how many years post-op you are or any of that other stuff. You ARE NOT a surgeon, dietitian, therapist, nutritionist etc... YOU are a HELPER. Nothing more, nothing less. Know when its time to send your "clients" for the help they deserve and need. You are doing nothing for them if you believe you can "therapy" away their issues, YOU CAN'T! You don't have the education to do so. Completing a course of therapy for yourself does not in any way make you qualified to give therapy to others. Paying for a 6 week course in coaching, DOES NOT qualify you to give therapy. In fact that only thing you are doing is stroking your own ego and hurting the people you once wanted to badly to help. Therapists do a MINIMUM of 6 years of schooling plus internships under heavy supervision. They study for weeks if not months and take licensing exams!
Comin' To Vegas??
Jan 21, 2011
WLSFA - Have you bought your tickets?
WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Mother of ALL Meet & Greets!! I just bought my ticket.. Have you bought yours?? Tickets are selling fast and so are the rooms.. Come to Sin city and party with the baddest while learning from some of the
best! With speakers like Connie Stapleton and Dr. Katzen how could you say no!! Ok Ok Ok... I know you don't go for the speakers you go to these things to see what crazy thing I will do next :-P I have been known to dance with the WLS greats, show up in sexy Alice in Wonderland attire, sticker my face in lieu of vendor bingo, Have Mary Jo Rapini and Connie Stapleton sticker my "not face", take and partake in loads of pictures, force people to participate in the fashion show, hang out at the registration table and (in the pre-sleeve days) go shot for shot for shot with patron and the best of em. Who would want to miss that??? Not me!! Tickets are discounted for the next week and a half!!!
DISCOUNTED EVENT TICKETS ON SALE NOW $40 Each UNTIL FEBRUARY 1 2011.
After that date event tickets will go up $10 to $50 per ticket so buy early!
All money raised will benefit the WLSFA! and our WLS Community!
Purchase Description
Full access to the Mother of All Meet & Greets Conference at Palace Station Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, Nevada!!
Event from May 13, 2011 to May 15, 2011. This includes Friday Opening Reception and Saturday Sit Down Lunch
Your pass gives you access to all scheduled classes, talks, awards ceremonies and entertainment hosted by the WLSFA.To purchase your tickets please click here!
I look forward to seeing you at the WLSFA Meet & Greet in Sin City!!
About Me
Hicksville, NY
Location
32.2
BMI
Surgery
10/18/2010
Surgery Date
Nov 06, 2007
Member Since
